Coop Trustees Hear Concerns on Smoking Law, Temporary Use Permits, Main St. Development
By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
COOPERSTOWN
The Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees convened on Monday, August 24 for a meeting that blended routine municipal business with substantive public input on two proposed local laws and a detailed presentation on Main Street redevelopment.
The session opened with public comment from Kyla Coburn, lead designer at Kyla Coburn Designs, speaking on behalf of Cooperstown Main Street Partners LLC. Coburn outlined plans for three recently purchased Main Street buildings, explaining that the group had already secured Certificates of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board for all façade renovations.
Coburn described a multi‑phase revitalization effort aimed at bringing new life to long‑vacant properties. One building, formerly Nicoletta’s Italian Cafe, will feature newly renovated year‑round apartments intended for local workers. Another location, once home to a card shop near the Cooperstown Distillery Beverage Exchange, will include ground‑floor retail or office space with apartments above.
The largest project involves the former CVS building, which Coburn called “a really exciting one,” noting that the space may temporarily house the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market during the Hoffman Lane construction timeline.
The long‑term vision includes retail space, a café using local farm products, a small stage for performances, and flexible interior space for seasonal markets and community events. Coburn emphasized that scaffolding work would begin in late fall or early spring, with minimal disruption to parking, and addressed circulating rumors by stating, “This is our first unofficial introduction to all the rumors that it’s a nightclub or baseball T‑shirt shop on Main Street.”
Following Coburn’s presentation, the board moved into correspondence and permit approvals, including requests for the annual Harvest Supper and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Trustees approved the use of village property for both events, with conditions to protect historic structures from staining or damage.
The board also discussed an e-mail from Jan Kuzminski, who raised concerns about overcrowding at village parks following the temporary closure of Glimmerglass State Park due to harmful algal blooms. The matter was referred to the Parks Committee.
At 6:30 p.m., Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh opened two public hearings: Proposed Local Law No. 4 (2026), amending the village’s smoking and vaping regulations; and Proposed Local Law No. 5 (2026), increasing the number of temporary use permits available to nonprofit organizations from 12 to 14 per year.
The smoking‑law amendment drew several speakers, each urging the board to adopt stricter protections for public health.
Margaret McGown, a village property owner, spoke first, stating, “I feel that the village board has an obligation to protect the health of volunteers and employees…deliberately allowing people to be exposed to smoke and secondhand smoke is totally irresponsible.”
McGown emphasized that firefighters already face unavoidable smoke exposure during emergencies and should not be subjected to additional risks on village property.
Kristen Bellois, a Main Street resident, echoed those concerns, arguing that village property should be accessible without forcing residents to walk through cigarette smoke.
“Village property belongs to and serves the entire community,” she said. “No one should have to choose between avoiding cigarette smoke and accessing a building or service that belongs to the public.”
Bellois stressed that the law does not prevent anyone from smoking, but simply establishes reasonable boundaries to protect vulnerable residents, including children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
Chad Bellanger, speaking both personally and on behalf of Victor Jones, a member of the Cooperstown Fire Department, read two statements urging the board to adopt the smoke-free policy. Jones’ statement highlighted concerns about secondhand smoke exposure for volunteers, while Bellanger reinforced the need for clear, enforceable rules on village property.
The meeting also included a significant zoning discussion regarding a proposed single‑family home at 63 Lakeview Drive, submitted by applicant Caruso’s Red Point LLC. The project requires setback relief and review by multiple boards. Deputy Mayor Cynthia Falk and Trustees Joseph Membrino, George Fasanelli, Richard Sternberg, and Molly Mooney voted to forward the application to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board, Watershed Super-visory Committee, and County Planning Department. A public hearing was scheduled for Monday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.
The board concluded by approving an updated village zoning map reflecting recent reclassifications and accessibility improvements. With redevelopment underway, public health concerns raised, and zoning matters advancing, the August 24 meeting underscored the village’s ongoing efforts to balance growth, community needs, and regulatory oversight.
